Star Wars cosplayers at Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando. Photo: MediaGamut via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
"Battlefront 3" is trending worldwide tonight, and for once the hype has a real trigger. On October 21, 2026, Electronic Arts told staff that two of its biggest shooter studios, DICE (Battlefield) and Respawn (Apex Legends, Titanfall), will join forces on a "future project." EA didn't name the game. Variety and Bloomberg did: their sources say it's a new Star Wars: Battlefront.
Here's what's actually confirmed, what's still a report, and why the news lands with such mixed feelings.
Key points
- EA's October 21, 2026 memo confirms DICE and Respawn will collaborate on "a future project."
- Variety and Bloomberg report that the project is a new Star Wars: Battlefront game.
- EA and Lucasfilm have not officially announced Battlefront 3. There is no title, platform or release date.
- The same memo confirmed that EA is closing BioWare and ending early work on the next Mass Effect.
- EA says more details will be shared with staff at its Global Town Hall in November.
What's Being Reported
Variety reports that "multiple sources confirmed" the DICE–Respawn project is Star Wars: Battlefront 3 for Lucasfilm. Bloomberg, as summarized by Quartz, says the project is probably a new entry in the Star Wars: Battlefront series.
So, to be clear: a new Battlefront has not been officially announced. No title, platforms, release window or trailer exists yet. Everything about Star Wars comes from reporting, not from EA or Lucasfilm.
What EA Actually Said
The official source is the memo "Building EA's Next Chapter," from Cam Weber (president and chief studios officer) and David Tinson (president and COO), published on EA's site. On shooters, it says:
- Battlefield 6 "was a great success, and we learned a lot from the launch and the live service."
- "In addition to our future Battlefield titles, we'll be bringing together our Respawn and DICE studios to collaborate on a future project."
- "We can't wait to share more when the time comes."
- EA is "continuing to invest heavily in Apex over the next few years."
The memo also confirms that Marvel's Iron Man and the next Star Wars Jedi game are still on the way.
Why a DICE + Respawn Team-Up Matters
DICE made both modern Battlefront games and runs the Frostbite-powered Battlefield series. Respawn made Titanfall, Apex Legends and the Star Wars Jedi games. Put those together and you get large-scale combat plus some of the slickest movement and gunplay in the genre, along with a studio that already knows how to work with Lucasfilm. For a Star Wars shooter, that's about as strong a pairing as EA has.
A Quick Battlefront History
The modern series started with Star Wars Battlefront (2015) from DICE, which got plenty of praise for its looks and sound. It also got criticized for thin content at launch.
Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) had a rougher start. Before launch, its loot-box progression became one of the biggest controversies in gaming history, with players saying it was pay-to-win. EA temporarily removed in-game purchases right before release. Over the following years, DICE rebuilt the game with steady free updates, and many players came to see it as a comeback story. Support wound down in 2020.
Why Fans Have Begged for Battlefront 3
Battlefront II's long redemption arc left fans with a game they love but no sequel. For years, "Battlefront 3" has popped up constantly in replies to EA, DICE and Star Wars accounts. Fans want large-scale battles, iconic heroes and a full-scale sequel built without the loot-box baggage. Tonight's reports are the strongest sign yet that it could happen.
The Bittersweet BioWare Timing
The same memo confirmed that EA is closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Early development on the next Mass Effect is ending, and the Edmonton studio is closing. Reports put the cuts at about 400 jobs, roughly 3% of EA's workforce. According to Bloomberg, about 50 of those are at BioWare. Weber and Tinson wrote that BioWare "is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly."
This is EA's first major restructuring since a roughly $55 billion take-private deal led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal closed in August 2026. So while one Star Wars dream is reportedly coming back, a studio that made one of Star Wars' most beloved games is shutting down.
What's Next
EA says staff will hear more at its Global Town Hall in November. A public reveal of the DICE–Respawn project could take much longer. Until EA or Lucasfilm confirms it, treat Battlefront 3 as strongly reported, not official.
Why it matters
Battlefront II built a loyal community after a rough launch, and fans have asked for a sequel for years. Combining DICE's large-scale battles with Respawn's shooter expertise could make a strong Star Wars game. But the news arrives alongside BioWare's closure, and until EA or Lucasfilm confirms it, Battlefront 3 remains a well-sourced report rather than an announcement.
FAQ
Is Star Wars Battlefront 3 officially confirmed?
No. EA confirmed that DICE and Respawn are working together on a future project. Variety and Bloomberg report that it's a new Battlefront.
Which studios are making it?
DICE and Respawn, both owned by EA.
When will Battlefront 3 release?
There's no release date or window yet.
Is BioWare really closing?
Yes. EA's memo confirms that the studio and its Edmonton workspace are closing.
Are other Star Wars games still coming?
Yes. EA says the next Star Wars Jedi game is still on track.
Related coverage: Modern Warfare 4's 16-mission campaign · a bill to let gamers own the games they buy
Comments